The People v OJ Simpson

[EnthusiasmDisturbed]

Anyone else watching ?

It's almost exactly opposite of the Steven Avery case in Making a Murderer. OJ - rich, SA - poor
OJ - loved by the public, SA despised by the public
OJ - wealth of evidence against him - acquitted, SA - no hard evidence, plenty of room for reasonable doubt - convicted.

Watching it now is astonishing. I remember it happening but think I was too young and detached to take a real interest.

I just can't understand the people who cheered him on and waved placards. I found that horrible to watch. How horrendous that must have been for his victims' families.

Placemarking as I've become obsessed with this.

Everyone is fantastic in it. I even enjoy Travolta! "Who the Hell signs their suicide note with a smiley face?!"

Omg he really made it all about him didn't he?
Unbelievable how poor Nicole's murder got lost in his narcissism.

Agree that Cuba doesn't have the presence of OJ.
He was very tall, alarmingly handsome and charismatic. This was an essential part of the case. Other casting is spot on though.
V good viewing.

teal yy I can't quite understand why they picked Cuba. The actor playing Cochrane is more charismatic . . . although Cuba is usually very charismatic so it seems like a deliberate decision to underplay that side of the character.Perhaps there will be a change when they move to the court.

I read the reason Cuba was cast despite the lack of resemblance, was because the producers realised that nobody would ever think Cuba would murder anyone as he looks so nice. He has a lot of that Jerry Maguire goodwill and the public views him very favourably.

And basically that was what everyone had thought of OJ for 20 years at this point so it's a shortcut to making us understand the support he got.

I remember Robert Shapiro well. I couldn't understand how a man could always look so orange. And I recall he always always had his chin tilted and talked down his nose at people so I love that Travolta is doing that.

AnnaRose that's interesting about the producers using Cuba as a shortcut to goodwill. Thanks for explaining.

Annarose that makes sense.

He is pulling off that mixture of emotions very well - the anger, contrition, likable, horrible murderer, motivated above all by self preservation and delusions of his own grandeur. He is the ultimate "don't you know who I am" arsehole & CGJnr is pulling it off despite not having a physical resemblance.

I think it was on Vulture? There's a great interview with Marcia Clarke there too.

Yes he is pulling it off he is a great actor. But it's the physical presence and charisma that is strangely lacking. OJ was classicly handsome that was v important.
All the acting in this is astoundingly good actually Im riveted.

I must admit I hated myself for watching it when the car chase was unfolding. It made me feel complicit in turning murder into entertainment just like the people waving their placards.

Annarose I'll have a look for the Marcia Clarke interview. As a student who paid little attention to the case when it was unfolding, I was always impressed by Marcia. I thought it was very inspiring that a woman was running such a high profile prosecution. I know she was lambasted by the media and ultimately OJ was acquitted but I've always felt vicariously proud of her

The point with the blood evidence though is that if you believe that the lapd were capable of planting evidence (as many believed for good reason ) then you could believe they planted the blood.

There's a reason why this show opened with the la race riots.

The trial was more of a symbolic fingers up to the racist justice system than it was ever about OJ, Nicole or Ron.

The trial was more of a symbolic fingers up to the racist justice system than it was ever about OJ, Nicole or Ron.
Oh yes completely.

Which makes the deaths of Nicole and Ron even more tragic. It's like they weren't even worth a proper trial - they are simply props to be moved around in a "bigger issue".

Clearly race relations is a massive problem - but for it to be played out in a murder trial where it all comes down to race regardless of guilt, well that really is a true horror story.

'You could believe they planted the blood'
Well, yes, you could but his friend and lawyer didn't think the LAPD planted the blood.

You could only believe they planted the blood if you believe that the officers attending the scene of the crime immediately decided that it was OJ, collected samples from both victims, somehow magicked some of OJ's blood, went to OJ's house, dripped the mixed blood on his drive, in his car and in his house (including his bedroom let's not forget) before they even knew where OJ was or indeed questioned him

Watched Episode 1 last night. I'm fascinated by true crime. It's horrible that he killed Nicole while the children were upstairs sleeping. The little girl's voice on the answerphone choked me up :(

If you watch the current episodes of Real Housewives of Beverley Hills there's a lot of aggro going on around the OJ case, Faye Resnick and the ex wife of Nicole's alleged lover at the time. Faye has always believed that OJ murdered Nicole in a fit of jealousy over the relationship

Faye Resnick was (and probably still is) despicable. It was disgusting how she cashed in on the murders.

Does anyone know which book the series is based on ?
I'm totally gripped & want to read more
Any other book recommendations would be great too
Did Faye res Nick write some did someone say ?

I think this captures the essence of the time very, very well. It's just how I remember it. I was absolutely gripped by the second episode, which I watched last night. What a media circus! To me, OJ came across as incredibly self-absorbed, irrational and hogging the limelight. A great portal of a sporting legend who came to believe his own hype.

Portrayal.*

I was wondering about the book too Esio
Can't wait for this week's episode, is it on Thursday?

It was on last night Lila. You can watch it on the iplayer. I don't want to post anything else since you haven't watched it yet.